HR1125 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1125 LRB097 21784 KXB 70348 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor David K. Harmon on his retirement from the Kankakee Fire Department; and

WHEREAS, He began his career with the Kankakee Fire Department on July 17, 1984; he was certified Firefighter II and was Class Valedictorian on November 2, 1984; he became an EMT-A in 1985; an Advanced Firefighter III in 1986; an EMT-I in 1987; an EMT-P in 1988; and a First Class Firefighter in 1988; and

WHEREAS, He was a Union Board member for 9 years, serving as the Chaplain, Treasurer, Vice-President, and President; and

WHEREAS, He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1992; he became the Department Training Officer in 1993 and continued on and off in that role until 2000; he was certified Fire Officer II in 1996; he was promoted to the Rank of Captain in 2000; he directed the Fire Prevention Bureau from 1999 to 2005; and he was certified Fire Inspector I in 2001; and

WHEREAS, He was made a Life Safety Code Specialist in 2003; he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief on December 1, 2004; he received the Illinois Fire Service Institute Command and General Staff Certification in 2008; and he was certified as a Fire Officer III in 2010; and

WHEREAS, He received the Department's first "Legion of Valor Award"; he implemented the use of FireHouse Management software Department-wide and managed the Department's network and technologies; he became an Arson Investigator in 1997, finishing number one in the class and voted outstanding student by his peers; and

WHEREAS, He organized "Harmony Ranch" training events in 1996 assisting the "American Heat" video production company, training firefighters world-wide; he authored numerous grants and secured $1,351,383 for various programs and projects within the Kankakee Fire Department; and he built and maintains the Department Internet website; and

WHEREAS, He is married to Beth; their children are Melissa, Melinda, Mackenzi, Mason, and Madison; they also enjoy their grandchildren, Avery, Evan, and Elliot; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate David Harmon on his retirement and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to David Harmon as a symbol of our respect and esteem.